All Questions
Tagged with irrational-numbers nt.number-theory
71 questions
3
votes
1
answer
513
views
Regarding the digit expansion of $\sqrt 7$
Let $\sqrt 7=\sum_{i=0}^\infty a_i 7^{-i}, 0\le a_i \le 6$ be the expansion of $\sqrt 7$ in base $7$.
I am curious about the following question: Is there a $K\in \mathbb{N}$ such that for any $n\ge ...
- 31
7
votes
1
answer
480
views
An asymptotic formula in Apéry's proof of the irrationality of $\zeta(3)$
Let $a_n$ be the Apéry sequence
$$
a_n = \sum_{0\leq k\leq n}\binom{n}{k}^2\binom{n+k}{k}^2.
$$
Reading the 1978 paper Démonstration de l’irrationalité de $\zeta(3)$ (d’après R. Apery) of Cohen, at ...
- 271
3
votes
1
answer
82
views
Evaluating the generalized continued fraction obtained from the factorization of a bivariate polynomial equation
Happy New Year, MO community!
We need someone expert in Generalized Continued Fractions (GCFs), with a deep knowledge of the GCFs’ convergence properties, to solve the following problem.
PROBLEM
...
- 125
22
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is the integral of $e^{-x^2}$ from $0$ to $1$ known to be irrational?
Is it known whether $$\int_0^1 e^{-x^2} \, dx$$ is irrational? It is well-known that $\int_0^\infty e^{-x^2} \, dx=\frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}$ which is irrational, but what about the prior integral? Also, I ...
- 323
1
vote
0
answers
120
views
Question on recursive formulas for $\eta(2 n+1)$ and $\beta(2 n)$ where $n\in\mathbb{N}$
This question is a refinement of my related MSE question which was asked over 2 years ago and no answers have yet been posted.
Consider the following formulas for the Dirichlet eta function $\eta(s)$ ...
- 1,126
0
votes
0
answers
74
views
Lowest asymptotic bound to $4^n - 2v_n^2$ where $v$ is an odd integer, $n$ fixed
The general problem is this. I try to find a positive integer $\delta_n$ such $qv_n^2 +\delta_n = p\cdot 4^n$. More precisely, I am looking for a lower bound (depending on $n$) for $\delta_n$ as $n\...
- 3,098
17
votes
3
answers
718
views
Fractional part power
Does a irrational number $x > 1$ exist such that $\{x^n \} \le \frac{1}{2}$ for
all positive integers $n$ ?
$x=1+ \sqrt 2$ holds for $n$ odd, but not in even
- 683
67
votes
2
answers
6k
views
To prove irrationality, why integrate?
I have been reading David Angell's lovely book, Irrationality and Transcendence in Number Theory, which has given me some fresh insights even with some of the easier proofs. But the book reminds me of ...
- 82.6k
8
votes
2
answers
340
views
Does $x_0=1/3$ lead to periodicity in the logistic map $x_{k+1}=4x_k(1-x_k)$?
Does $x_0=1/3$ lead to periodicity in the logistic map $x_{k+1}=4x_k(1-x_k)$?
I believe it does not, but this is equivalent to proving that $(2\pi)^{-1}\arcsin(\sqrt{1/3})$ is irrational. I am ...
- 3,098
0
votes
0
answers
295
views
Is $\sum\limits_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{(mk)!^{n+1}}$ irrational?
I was using Wolfram Alpha for things, and I came across $I_{0}(2)$. For fun I tried asking Wolfram Alpha if the number was irrational, but said it's unknown. I believe this is an error, as its ...
- 101
11
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Compilation of strategies to show that some constant is irrational
I'm looking into expanding my knowledge in ways to show that some constant is irrational. I'm gonna give some examples of irrationality proofs, and I'm interested in learning what strategies you guys ...
- 521
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is $e^{{e^{\ \dots\ }}^n}$ ever an integer?
Let $n$ be a positive integer. It is clear that $e^n$ is not integer because $e$ is transcendental (not algebraic).
Now for each positive integer $k$ let $F^k(n)$ denote the $k$-fold composition of $F(...
- 3,317
3
votes
0
answers
208
views
Help with this irrationality proof
I have a real number, that is quite messy so I'll just call it $x$. I want to prove it's irrational. It's a proof by contradiction. The contradiction will rise if I assume $x$ is a rational number $p/...
- 521
16
votes
1
answer
2k
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Extending Apéry's proof to Catalan's constant?
I've been looking into Apéry's irrationality proof of $\zeta (3)$, and one of the first questions I instantly had, was how did he derive the following continued fraction?
$$\begin{equation*} \zeta (3)=...
- 533
8
votes
2
answers
387
views
Are we able to estimate the fraction of the domain where $\cos (ax)+2\cos (b x)$ with $\frac ab \notin\mathbb{Q}$ is positive?
We know that the two functions $\{\;\cos (ax),\;2\cos (b x)\;\}$ where $\frac ab \notin \mathbb{Q}$ are independently positive (and negative) over $\frac 12$ of the domain.
Is it possible to estimate ...
user215601
6
votes
0
answers
283
views
Is the arithmetic-geometric mean of 1 and 2 rational?
It is easy to show that, for two fixed real numbers $\alpha, \beta > 0$, the sequences given by $a_ 1 = \frac{\alpha + \beta }{2}$, $ g_1 = \sqrt{\alpha\beta}$, and $a_{n+1} = \frac{a_n + g_n}{2}$, ...
- 161
7
votes
1
answer
400
views
Upper bounds on the irrationality measure of the arctan of an algebraic number
Let $x$ be an algebraic number. Must $\arctan(x)/\pi$ have finite irrationality measure? Are there any useful upper bounds?
- 547
30
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How to prove that the solution to $x^{x+1}=(x+1)^{x}$ is transcendental?
I was asked by an high school student if there is an algebraic way to find the exact value of the solution to the equation
\begin{equation}\label{eq}
x^{x+1}=(x+1)^x
\end{equation}
Let us define that ...
- 1,343
3
votes
1
answer
315
views
Distribution of the first occurrence of a maximum (record) run of zeros in the digits of a normal number (say $\pi$)
If the question was stated to appeal to the general public, it would be something like this. For a number such as $\pi$ or $\sqrt{2}$, the digits in base $b$ appear to be randomly distributed. We are ...
- 3,098
6
votes
1
answer
649
views
Algebraic and rational parts of a real number
Let $\alpha$ be a positive real number. Does it make sense to define the closest rational to $\alpha$ as the number $R(\alpha)=\frac{p_1}{p_2}$ such that $p_1,p_2$ are positive co-prime integers ...
- 3,098
1
vote
0
answers
266
views
Looking for a proof that $\sqrt2 + \sqrt5 + \sqrt[3]3$ is irrational [closed]
What is the easiest way to prove that $\sqrt2+\sqrt5+\sqrt[3]3$ is irrational?
- 27
8
votes
1
answer
765
views
An alternative to continued fraction and applications
This post is inspired by the Numberphile video 2.920050977316, advertising the paper A Prime-Representing Constant by Dylan Fridman, Juli Garbulsky, Bruno Glecer, James Grime and Massi Tron Florentin, ...
17
votes
0
answers
743
views
Picture of Lambert's proof that $\pi$ is irrational?
With a suitably generous notion of "picture proof" or "proof without words" or "geometric proof," there do exist such proofs of the irrationality of square roots and even ...
- 82.6k
-3
votes
1
answer
302
views
Is the super square root of $2$ irrational? [closed]
The super square root of $n$ is the solution/solutions to $x^x=n$. Is the super square root of $2$ irrational?
- 9
3
votes
0
answers
202
views
Irrationality or transcendence of $i^{i\Omega}$ and $2^\Omega$, with $\Omega=W(1)$ and $W(x)$ being the main branch of Lambert $W$ function
In this post we denote the main (or principal) branch of the Lambert $W$ function as $W(x)$, I add as reference that Wikipedia has the article Lambert $W$ function. The particular value $W(1)=\Omega$ ...
1
vote
0
answers
320
views
Question about proof of irrationality of $\zeta(3)$ [closed]
I'm reading this article of Henri Cohen about Apery's proof of the irrationality of $\zeta(3)$ but I don't really get the details of "THEOREME 1".
My first doubt is about the relation $a_n \sim A \...
- 271
8
votes
2
answers
627
views
Irrationality measure of arctan(1/3)
I recently came across the concept of the irrationality measure. It really fascinated me and when I was looking for known values $\mu(x)$ for mathematical constants $x$, I also came across this paper: ...
- 251
2
votes
1
answer
162
views
O(1) or o(logn) discrepancy for multiples of an irrational for at least one sub interval
O(1) or o(logn) discrepancy for multiples of an irrational for at least one sub interval.
Using $\{x\}$ to denote the fraction part of $x$ we can define for any $I\subset [0,1]$,
$$E(n,\theta, I) ={ ...
- 4,862
1
vote
1
answer
629
views
If $x^x=2$ then is $x$ expressible using elementary functions?
I have a curious question. Let $x∈\mathbb{R}^+$ such that $x^x=2$. I am aware that the Gelfond–Schneider theorem implies that $x$ cannot be algebraic. However, is it still possible that $x$ can be ...
- 2,912
4
votes
0
answers
447
views
The irrational numbers α such that n odd and m=⌊nα⌋ odd implies ⌊mα⌋ odd
This post is the analogous of that one (about $\sqrt{2}$) but with a much stronger expectation here.
We observed, and then this comment of Lucia proved, that for $\phi$ the golden ratio, if $n$ ...
2
votes
0
answers
157
views
Subsets of particular values of $\zeta'(k)$ that contain irrational numbers
We consider the set of elements $\zeta'(2),\zeta'(3),\zeta'(4),\zeta'(5),\ldots$ where $\zeta(z)$ is the Riemann zeta function and $\zeta'(z)=\frac{d}{dz}\zeta(z)$ its derivative. Thus we consider ...
13
votes
3
answers
810
views
Is $\sum_{n=1}^\infty\frac{S(n)}{n!}$ an irrational, where $S(n)$ denotes the sum of remainders function?
For each integer $n\geq 1$ we consider the arithmetic function $$S(n)=\sum_{k=1}^n n\text{ mod }k,\tag{1}$$
the sum of remainders function, the arithmetic function A004125 from the OEIS.
Example. We'...
3
votes
1
answer
312
views
Looking for a proof that $\pi$ is irrational using a series representation for it
This have been asked on MSE but got no answers.
I'm searching for a proof that $\pi$ is irrational using a series representation for $\pi$, but can't find it.
However, on this wikipedia page show'...
- 521
2
votes
1
answer
162
views
infinite set of mutually irrational numbers which odd linear combinations approximate 0 badly
I'm looking for a set of real numbers $\{\lambda_i;i\geq 1\}$ such that for each odd $n$, one can control $\delta_n:=\inf| \sum_i \pm n_i \lambda_i|$ where the $n_i$ are natural integers that sum to $...
- 1,352
5
votes
0
answers
109
views
Approximation of an irrational point from a given direction
Taking norms to be maximal norm, then the simultaneous version of the Dirichlet's approximation theorem states that given real numbers ${\displaystyle \alpha _{1},\ldots ,\alpha _{d}} $,there are ...
- 305
7
votes
0
answers
620
views
Irrationality of the values of the prime zeta function
Preamble: I asked this question on Math.SE with a bounty of 100, but received no replies. The bounty has now ended, and it was suggested I post this here instead.
Since Apéry we know that $\zeta(3)$, ...
- 1,962
3
votes
1
answer
208
views
$\psi(2,1/6),\psi(4,1/6)$ in terms of zeta and pi only and another closed form for zeta
Let $\psi(n,x)$ denote the polygamma function.
In this answer Lucia gave linear relations for $\psi(m,1/3),\psi(m,1/6),\zeta(m+1)$.
The computer managed to find closed form for $\psi(2,1/6)$ and $\...
- 25.4k
1
vote
0
answers
219
views
Two exponents being algebraic
Schanuel conjecture implies this, so likely it is true.
Let $f(x),g(x)$ be polynomials with coefficient in $\mathbb{Z}[i]$.
Assume that for some complex number $x_0$, both $\exp{f(x_0)}$ and
$\exp{...
- 25.4k
29
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Has Apéry's proof of the irrationality of $\zeta(3)$ ever been used to prove the irrationality of other constants?
Apéry's proof of the irrationality of $\zeta(3)$ astounded contemporary mathematicians for its wealth of new ideas and techniques in proving the irrationality of a known constant. It is often the case ...
- 1,962
2
votes
0
answers
140
views
Combination of irrationals
Fix a very small $\epsilon>0$; and irrationals $a_1,a_2>0$. Now suppose we look at all integer combinations of these irrationals which has a small norm; that is,
$$
S=\{(m_1,m_2)\in\mathbb{Z}\...
- 1,096
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Irrational number with known probability distribution on digits
Is there any irrational number that is known the probability distribution of digits?
Something like 0 appears 10% of time, 1 appears 10% of time, etc.
Probably irrational numbers that are defined ...
- 179
3
votes
2
answers
452
views
Example of irrational number with a pattern in digits [closed]
Suppose I created the following random number generator.
A trusted person choose a irrational number. That can easily defined and computed by a computer. Like square root of a prime.
Every time the ...
- 179
8
votes
3
answers
706
views
Irrationality of generalized continued fractions
An infinite simple continued fraction
$$\frac{1}{b_1 + \frac{1}{b_2 + \frac{1}{b_3+\dots}}} (b_i\in\mathbb Z\setminus\left\{0\right\})$$
is irrational. Now for a generalized continued fraction:
$$\...
- 201
-5
votes
1
answer
454
views
Is there a fixed integer $n$ for which the difference :$\pi^n-\ e ^n$ is integer number? [closed]
I'm interested knowing more about nature of $\pi$ and $\ e$ since they are independent algebraically.
In this question I'm interested to know if there exist a integer $n$ for which the difference $\...
4
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is it possible to know if $\log(\pi)$ is irrational or not since the $\log$ function is the inverse of the $\exp$ function?
I'm interested in knowing more about the question if $f(\pi)$ is rational or not, where $f$ is some well-known function. For example, $\cos(\pi) =-1$ is rational, while ${e}^{\pi}$ is irrational as ...
1
vote
0
answers
184
views
Researching the irrationality of a number [closed]
I am conducting a little research on checking if a number, written in positional numeral system is irrational.
Let $h^p_n$ be the most right non-zero digit of number $n!$ written in numeral system ...
- 137
26
votes
0
answers
841
views
Is the Flajolet-Martin constant irrational? Is it transcendental?
Facebook has a new tool to estimate the average path length between you and any other person on Facebook. An interesting aspect of their method is the use of the Flajolet-Martin algorithm.
In the ...
- 3,028
40
votes
5
answers
3k
views
The sequence $a_{n+1}=\left\lceil \frac{-1+\sqrt{5}}{2}a_{n}-a_{n-1} \right\rceil$ is periodic
Let $(a_{n})_{n \ge 1}$ be a sequence of integers such that for all $n \ge 2$:
$0\le a_{n-1}+\frac{1-\sqrt{5}}{2}a_{n}+a_{n+1} <1$.
Prove that the sequence $(a_{n})$ is periodic.
This ...
- 3,153
4
votes
0
answers
239
views
A connection between basic hypergeometric series and number theory
I am studying functions given by the power series:
$$f(z)=1+\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{z^n}{(1-q)(1-q^2)\cdots(1-q^{n})}.$$
The parameter $q$ is usually assumed to be such that $|q|<1$. Then it is ...
- 2,188
35
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Proving the irrationality of $\pi e$ and $\pi / e$
Rather than relying on the consequences of Schanuel's conjecture, I set about using the same ideas Apery had used to construct integer arguments converging fast enough to show $\zeta(3)$ is irrational ...
- 1,549